Switching from Hybrid so just WFH due to pain discomfort.

clubtropicana

Hi I started a new job sep 22. I was told in my 3 days work one must be in the office (quite a trek ) I was told I could switch to there nearest office to my house “ not too long” I’m 3 months in and I’m really struggling in the main office. I have fibromyalgia psoriatic  Arthritis and hemiplegic migraine and CFS. I also struggle with direct noise when trying to concentrate ( I think I may be Autistic?) my new job is a disappointment as my boss has been a bully and constantly tells me to hurry up. She has set Horam by dates that are in achievable in what little hrs I do (22). I am finding no point in going into the office. Last time it was too noisy , bright and I got a migraine. This week I found a quiet room upstairs but forgot I’d need to get my wheeled case up big stairs, a colleague took it for me . But I foolishly  brought it down myself . My fault I don’t like asking. The ONLY time I feel disabled is at work!. I have asked for all 3 days working at home to keep pain down and have a set desk I like at home. The office is hot dealing. Boss says no so I can ask other colleagues questions - not just her, in other words she said she dosent have time to train me/ answer my questions ( I try and avoid her best I can actually and know v well how to call or teams call colleagues from home) it’s my boss who won’t leave me alone and I’ve had to ask for protected time to do my work. I’m far more work productive on my home days and in less pain. But because I’m in my probationary period and they deel
im not up to scratch where I should be yet I must come in one day out of my 3. In 3 weeks I’m to also go from managing to do 2 reviews in 3 days ( big pieces of work) to 3 I have said 3 is unrealistic but I’m being ignored and yesterday it was written into my probationary expectations. This week my pain is accumulative , getting in **** car seat, wheeling bag whist holding heavy fire doors with foot / body, sitting in yet another different chair/ desk . Not being able to move around in a 3 hr meeting as it’s on teams that long. The sheer effort of going to work. I have been asked to supply a email with my resonable adjustment RA in. I have been emailing about purely WFH for ages . I’m just a bit lost how to go about all my RA’s . I find it difficult everyone staring at me. I strongly sense my boss is uncaring . I already saw a email she wasn’t supposed to send to me saying in regards me asking fir acquirer room - “ time to push back don’t you think?” She not very pleasant. Thank you 

Tori_Scope

Welcome to the community @clubtropicana  

I'm sorry to hear that you've been facing some challenges at work, including people's attitudes towards you. 

You may find it helpful to read our pages on getting reasonable adjustments at work and managing attitudes towards disability at work. 

If you're a member of a union, you may want to consider speaking to your workplace representative.

Have you had an assessment from an occupational therapist at all?

clubtropicana

Thank you Tori that’s v kind of you to reply, will take a look at the resonable adjustments (RA’s) link thanks. I don’t have a union as I’m also a trained nurse ( trying something different due to disability!  🙈)  but was with RCN but at £17/12 ditched it. I’d love a OT but no idea where to get one. I work ( ironically) for care for the carers now they don’t have a clue on resonable adjustments and don’t have a Occupational Health dept, everything goes to just 1 lady who is an accountant. I don’t think we have a workplace representative either in regards a union rep. I will start with writing up what I think will be useful RA’s see how that goes down thank you . I’m also awaiting Access To Work, probably about another 15 wks to wait yet. Ian I within my rights to say I can’t work in the office 1 day a week as it is causing me pain as I need my “ATW” chair and desk assessment. I had a ATW assessment in my last job but it never got ordered as Ai was forced to leave by another bully boss but I know the level of chair I need (arm supports  leg raiser ,recliner, even heated!) is nothing like anything in the office now. Going to work is causing me more pain than not. The obvious answer is wait until I get my assessment by ASW ? It won’t go down well but I take it they can’t sack me in that? Thank you 😀  

janer1967

Hi there 

First of all I do understand your concern and how it is affecting you however you accepted the role based on these working conditions and should have had the adjustments in place before 

You can request ra but they are not forced to put them in place if there is a valid business reason why they are not acceptable 

You don't have the right to stop working while you get your assessment but obviously you can go sick until it is sorted 

As you are in your probationary period they can dismiss you if you are not meeting targets and performance levels  required or not confirm your position 
Ì suggest you get some advice from acas or look at their website 

clubtropicana

Thanks But your comments are inflammatory and not helpful Ivdint need your advice again thanks. You are making assumptions Ffs.  I accepted I would work at the other office short term this was explained as weeks not 4 months.,I was not told if I don’t hit targets I’d have to come into that particular office longer. I did not say in my post  I would not work  whilst awaiting ATW, just not in the office that would be ridiculous and I want/ need to work. I would WFH, as Ai do my other two work days -doing exactly the same work as I do in the office ( in fact better) . Since my last job my arthritis has deteriorated and I’ve never had a solely desk job as im
actually a qualified RGN, but was trying a different career stance due to my risk factors on covid wards and a horrid boss ( again!) I am getting used to this deterioration awaiting Biologics / scans etc. plus a stick! I am 39 not 99. It’s been a very fast decline. ATW didn’t come up until 2 weeks in I booked it but it’s a 20 week wait. they said I could WFH solely so didn’t think ASW would be required initially and didn’t want to waste their time again. It  is a majorly stretched service anyway.,and I’m going through a family crisis caring for a sick child also so you could say sorry for not being quite on the ball for my needs, life dosent  work quite how your describing things I’m afraid. it should of been up to the company to support me as I declared all my disabilities from
the start. ( The last staff member before left suddenly as my boss is a bully - so it has been a closed door to discuss these such things without judgement) I am autistic as well so there you go these things aren’t always “ in place before you start” Thanks I will call ACAS in the morning as I’m slower than most without a disability so they can’t fire me in not providing 3 reports a week and only 2, plus the only other colleague says she will provide what she can manage like it or lump it if you want great quality reports to send off then your asking us to cut corners and provide sub standard work, so I’m not being allowed that option. Please don’t comment again thanks 

Tori_Scope

Writing it all down sounds like a good idea to me @clubtropicana I hope that you get an AtW assessment soon! I'm aware the waiting times can be really quite long. 

Regarding an occupational therapy assessment, my understanding is that you should be able to speak to your GP or local authority (gov.uk) about getting a referral.

I don't think that janer1967 intended to be inflammatory, or make assumptions. They have experience in this area, and I think they were just trying to give you some clear advice It's important to us that the community is a safe, civil, and supportive place to be. If you have concerns about another member's conduct, please use the 'flag' function to report this to us.

Thanks I will call ACAS in the morning

That sounds like a good idea! I believe ACAS are only open Monday to Friday, so I hope that you manage to get through to them over the coming week.

janer1967

Sorry I was not being inflammatory just advising on the law regarding your situation 

Get advice from acas as suggested 

I had no intention of offending you or upsetting you 

I won't comment further wish you all the best